Galveston and MSC Cruises Finalize Agreement on 4th Cruise Terminal
Galveston Wharves and MSC Cruises have finalized an operating agreement for a fourth cruise terminal complex at the Port of Galveston, according to a press release. The MSC Seascape will homeport at the new terminal beginning in November 2025. The port will develop the $100 million cruise terminal, $42 million parking garage, internal roadway and…
Royal Caribbean: Mobile Devices Driving Onboard Spending
More and more guests are prebooking onboard experiences and spending money on their mobile devices on Royal Caribbean Group ships, said Jason Liberty, president and CEO. “The outsized increase in our onboard revenue over the past couple of years has been fueled by new capabilities introduced to make it easier for guests to pre book…
Royal Caribbean: 2024 Opens in Record Booked Position
2024 has opened with Royal Caribbean Group in the strongest booked position in the company’s history from both a pricing and volume standpoint, according to President and CEO Jason Liberty, speaking on “the company’s fourth quarter and year-end earnings call. “Momentum continues in 2024 with a record breaking start to the Wave season,” he said….
Royal Caribbean Reports Strong Q4 2023; Forecasts Record 2024
Royal Caribbean Group today reported 2023 Earnings per Share of $6.31 and Adjusted EPS of $6.77. These results were better than the company’s guidance due to stronger close-in demand, according to a press release. The strength is continuing into 2024 with Adjusted EPS expected to be in the range of $9.50 to $9.70 per share….
Carnival Jubilee Fueled with LNG at Galveston Port
Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Carnival Jubilee, was fueled with liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the first time at its Gulf Coast home port before sailing on Dec. 30, according to a press release. “Providing LNG fuel at the port opens opportunities for the Port of Galveston to attract newer, technologically advanced cruise and…
Welbilt GalleyCare: Redefining Support for Cruise Lines
Earlier this year Welbilt launched their unique GalleyCare package for the marine industry. Six months in, we get an update from Alexis Bourgault, Director of Global Strategic Account at Welbilt Marine, about the offering and how it is changing the face of ongoing relationships with cruise operators. Can you explain what Welbilt GalleyCare is? Welbilt…
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Completes Two Decades at Sea
The Queen Mary 2 is completing its second decade at sea in 2024. Having started sailing in early 2004, the 151,400-ton vessel was the result of the “Queen Mary Project.” Announced by Cunard Line in 1998, the project called for the construction of the “the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner ever.” After being built…
Oceania Cruises’ Riviera Arrives in Asia for the First Time
The Riviera is currently offering its first ever season in the Asia-Pacific region for Oceania Cruises. After debuting crossing the Suez Canal in December, the Oceania Cruises’ vessel is now offering a series of itineraries to Southeast Asia, the Far East and the Indian Ocean. After leaving from Mumbai on Jan. 8, the Riviera is…
Atlas Ocean Voyages: Two Ships in the Arctic for the First Time
For the first time, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ 2024 Arctic Season will feature two yachts instead of one, according to a press release. The World Traveller and World Navigator will sail 11 expeditions ranging from seven to 12 nights, exploring the Arctic region with departures from Tromso, Oslo, Longyearbyen, Reykjavik and Kangerlussuaq. Featured itineraries include: A…
Growth Continues for Virgin with Expanded Deployment, More Funding
$550 million in new capital has been a major win for Virgin Voyages. “That is the runway we need to grow,” said Michelle Bentubo, chief operating officer, in an interview with Cruise Industry News, who added the company is growing and will continue to grow, not only concentrating on its core North America market but…
Holland America Stacks New Booking Records During ‘Wave’ Season
Six months after recording its largest booking day, Holland America Line set a new single-day sales record on Jan. 16, 2024, according to a press release. The Jan. 16 bookings surpassed the previous record from July 11, 2023, by 18 percent, making it the biggest sales day in the brand’s 150-year history. The cruise line…
China Update: Here Are the Restart Plans for the Local Brands
While 2023 marked the return of several domestic brands in China, 2024 will see international cruise lines – and even international guests – returning to China for the first time since 2020. Cruise Industry News looks at the status and the restart plans for the brands that historically have a presence in the region. For…
Quark Expeditions Introduces Ocean Explorer to its Polar Fleet
Quark Expeditions has announced the latest addition to its fleet: the Ocean Explorer, as the former Vantage ship will enter service for the 2024-25 Antarctica season. “Going beyond in the polar regions requires the best expedition team operating the best ships,” saidAndrew White, President of Quark Expeditions. “And we’ve got both. Ocean Explorer is the…
Carnival Miracle Completes 20 Years in Service
The Carnival Miracle has marked 20 years in service. Closing out Carnival Cruise Line’s Spirit Class, the vessel was delivered by the Kvaerner Masa-Yards shipyard on Jan. 17, 2004. After crossing the Atlantic with no guests onboard, the Miracle officially launched service from Jacksonville on Feb. 27, 2004. Before kicking off a spring program from…
AIDAsol Arrives in Mauritius; Begins Last Leg of World Tour
AIDA Cruises’ AIDAsol arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius on Friday, Jan.19, starting the last leg of its world cruise. Having sailed on October 2023 when it departed from Hamburg, the AIDAsol has so far crossed each of the major oceans once during this world voyage. Mauritius serves as the last port of transfer for guests…